I think our tickets are mezzanine, section 315, row D. I am so fricking amped up for this I can barely sit still at the office. Get to GLBC by 6, grab a few pints and a Brewer's Plate then take the Fatty Wagon over at 7 or so.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

Galley Boys are slop on top of a so-so burger and a bun you coulde get from a Covneninet food mart generic pack. They the Antoine Joubert of burgers; soft, sloppy, oozing grease and cheap sauce and extremely overrated by a biased fan base. Proof that if you throw enough cheap sauce shit on a burger you still can't overcome the lame burger. -JB

Need advice: only jersey I have is the grey '94 version with the Olin/Crews patch on the right sleeve. I had good luck with it in 2007. Wore it to the 1st two Boston games in the ALCS. But, due to a conspiracy of time and nature I can't quite button that bastard (yet).

What's the current thnking on pasty overweight idle-aged white dudes wearing unbuttoned jerseys? Best to leave that in the box until next year?

It's this guy right here. And I look almost as badass when I'm wearing it as Albert.

motherscratcher wrote:Need advice: only jersey I have is the grey '94 version with the Olin/Crews patch on the right sleeve. I had good luck with it in 2007. Wore it to the 1st two Boston games in the ALCS. But, due to a conspiracy of time and nature I can't quite button that bastard (yet).

What's the current thnking on pasty overweight idle-aged white dudes wearing unbuttoned jerseys? Best to leave that in the box until next year?

It's this guy right here. And I look almost as badass when I'm wearing it as Albert.

RickNashEquilibrium wrote:I think our tickets are mezzanine, section 315, row D. I am so fricking amped up for this I can barely sit still at the office. Get to GLBC by 6, grab a few pints and a Brewer's Plate then take the Fatty Wagon over at 7 or so.

That sounds awesome. I wish I hadn't read that as my evening will now suck in comparision.

Ohio City beer before a Tribe game makes one feel like a Clevelander through and through.

Galley Boys are slop on top of a so-so burger and a bun you coulde get from a Covneninet food mart generic pack. They the Antoine Joubert of burgers; soft, sloppy, oozing grease and cheap sauce and extremely overrated by a biased fan base. Proof that if you throw enough cheap sauce shit on a burger you still can't overcome the lame burger. -JB

justmebd wrote: That was an incredible thing to watch in the second inning last night.

I didn't see the whole game but, I found it quite amusing that you could clearly see some fans in the close seats chanting "Hey Oh" and not "Cue-to" simply because they clearly didn't have a clue what was going on! They just wanted to join in.

So, does that mean there's going to be chants of "Al-ex, Al-ex, Al-ex" tonight?!

I'm out of the loop. Fans are supposed to be wearing red to the game tonight?

Yes. #RockTheRed or some lame ass slogan.

Probably won't go over nearly as well as the Pittsburgh black out last night.

Thanks. I gotta hit the Tribe shop!

Fresh brewed Tees will have a truck outside the harry Buffalo selling Tribe shirts, I seen on their twitter/FB pages. Local Tshirt company with some pretty cool shirts, if you wanna grab one before you head in side! Ive bought a few over the last few years since they opened up, pretty good quality too. www.freshbrewedtees.com

I'm out of the loop. Fans are supposed to be wearing red to the game tonight?

Yes. #RockTheRed or some lame ass slogan.

Probably won't go over nearly as well as the Pittsburgh black out last night.

Probably because almost all Pittsburgh merchandise is black and ours is mainly blue, white, or gray. Will the team shop be loaded with red t's and other shit, I'm guessing yes. And Latos' wife probably told people her name was Dallas, that was probably more annoying than her husband playing for Cincy. I will be in 125 tonight thanks to StubHub, jumped on early enough after Sunday's win before they got out of hand.

I hit a Tribe shop, Dick's, and a place in Belden Village and there is very little red available. The Tribe shop had 2 Pestano red Ts and 2 not-so-stylish red polos. I got my son a Pestano. While I'm standing there, a guy returns a red T in my size. Top dollar for a T at the Tribe shop, though. Maybe shoulda waited on the street vendors.

"The nose of the bulldog has been slanted backwards so that he can breathe without letting go." -- Winston Churchill

Just out of curiosity, what is Ohio City beer? I haven't been in NE Ohio for 30 years...

Commodore Perry wrote:

RickNashEquilibrium wrote:I think our tickets are mezzanine, section 315, row D. I am so fricking amped up for this I can barely sit still at the office. Get to GLBC by 6, grab a few pints and a Brewer's Plate then take the Fatty Wagon over at 7 or so.

That sounds awesome. I wish I hadn't read that as my evening will now suck in comparision.

Ohio City beer before a Tribe game makes one feel like a Clevelander through and through.

skatingtripods wrote:Good effort from the crowd tonight. With any luck, we'll see the bandwagon fill up again in 11 months.

Crowd was just waiting for something to happen so they could explode. Couldn't tell how really loud it was as TBS seemed to have lowered the mics for the crowd, especially when Salazar struck out the last 2 in the first

Galley Boys are slop on top of a so-so burger and a bun you coulde get from a Covneninet food mart generic pack. They the Antoine Joubert of burgers; soft, sloppy, oozing grease and cheap sauce and extremely overrated by a biased fan base. Proof that if you throw enough cheap sauce shit on a burger you still can't overcome the lame burger. -JB

Cleveland baseball attendance gets slagged on and mostly for good reason. If you have a competitive team a good baseball town will have a solid season ticket base & get a walk up boost when the weather is good. A 90 run season is nothing to sneeze at. Cleveland just isn't a good baseball city. Subjectively this is also a likable team with great personalities except for CP. god knows they try hard with fan friendly promotions & atmosphere.

Having said that this bunch blew it with their 2 major opportunities to captures the fringe fans. The first was the mid season Tigers series and the 2nd was last night. They had the bandwagon on the cusp of a roll and not only did they disappoint they showed up like a dead sheepshead rolling up on the Lake Erie beach. When they could have fanned the flickering flame into a bonfire they poured water on it. Totally blew it.

I see zero casual fan carry over from this season to next.

Right or wrong the Browns receive unrequited love while the Tribe gets "show me". When they had casual fan attention and the opportunity to make their case they were utter no shows.

13000 in April next year after the opener sells out. Same as it ever was.

They definitely shrunk in the big moments. I don't think people understand what a major accomplishment it is for a team in this market to win 92 games, especially when you consider how they did it. Down years from Swisher, Bourn, Cabrera, Pestano, and Perez. A rotation that nobody, me included, believed in coming into the season. Inconsistent play for the first four months of the season. Long stretches of bad baseball and bad offensive production.

The fact that they got to that game last night was really incredible given the context of the season. Again, that's why I'm not sad. I'm disappointed that I woke up today without baseball to care about for the first time in six months, but this team really did have a good season. Unfortunately, as jb said, the lasting memory for "fans" will be how they did nothing against the Tigers and nothing in the wild card game. There was a lot to remember sprinkled in over the 162 game season, regardless of the opponent.

A lot of decisions remain going forward, but the 2014 season officially starts today. The front office has already been preparing and the players will go take vacations with their families and a few of them have babies to spend time with, but the 2014 season officially starts today in my book.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

skatingtripods wrote:They definitely shrunk in the big moments. I don't think people understand what a major accomplishment it is for a team in this market to win 92 games, especially when you consider how they did it. Down years from Swisher, Bourn, Cabrera, Pestano, and Perez. A rotation that nobody, me included, believed in coming into the season. Inconsistent play for the first four months of the season. Long stretches of bad baseball and bad offensive production.

The fact that they got to that game last night was really incredible given the context of the season.

skatingtripods wrote:Good effort from the crowd tonight. With any luck, we'll see the bandwagon fill up again in 11 months.

Won't be luck.

Will be if they spend the winter improving the team or dismantling.

I mentioned this in an article I have posting at noon, but the transition from Larry Dolan to Paul Dolan as controlling owner in January is bigger than just a name thing IMO. I don't think Larry was very approachable and I'm not entirely sure how deep he was willing to go. Paul's younger, more engaged. He understands the changing landscape of baseball. Maybe Paul's been pulling the strings for a while, I don't know, but now that it's completely his team, I think things will be a bit different. They signed Swisher a month before the announcement. Bourn a month after the announcement. Myers just before the announcement. That's a substantial chunk of free agent money for a team that never dabbles in free agency. Ponied up 3.5M in the Choo trade to get Bauer. Raburn extension. Aviles extension. Potentially a Masterson extension this winter. Kipnis and Brantley talks. Maybe they re-sign Kazmir. Take a legitimate shot at Ubaldo, though eventually pass because they'll get priced out.

It seems different. It seems more than coincidence. I could be wrong, but that's my take on it.

As to your post, worst thing the Indians could do is sit back and do nothing like they did entering 2008. The holes are clear. They need to be filled.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

jb wrote:Having said that this bunch blew it with their 2 major opportunities to captures the fringe fans. The first was the mid season Tigers series and the 2nd was last night. They had the bandwagon on the cusp of a roll and not only did they disappoint they showed up like a dead sheepshead rolling up on the Lake Erie beach. When they could have fanned the flickering flame into a bonfire they poured water on it. Totally blew it.

I think they had a couple of these opportunities throughout the regular season, but after their deflating losses in those moments, I don't even really believe last night was an opportunity for "bonfire." I think we'd have had to beat Boston to make that happen, and then to keep it, at least have a respectable showing in the ALCS.

Yet, I don't think it's quite the same as it always was, either. 92 wins and Francona and all the things that made that possible are going to be in the backs of casual fans' heads next year, and if they could somehow manage to have another positive offseason, all it's going to take is one good hot streak in 2014, IMO.

skatingtripods wrote:Good effort from the crowd tonight. With any luck, we'll see the bandwagon fill up again in 11 months.

Won't be luck.

Will be if they spend the winter improving the team or dismantling.

I mentioned this in an article I have posting at noon, but the transition from Larry Dolan to Paul Dolan as controlling owner in January is bigger than just a name thing IMO. I don't think Larry was very approachable and I'm not entirely sure how deep he was willing to go. Paul's younger, more engaged. He understands the changing landscape of baseball. Maybe Paul's been pulling the strings for a while, I don't know, but now that it's completely his team, I think things will be a bit different. They signed Swisher a month before the announcement. Bourn a month after the announcement. Myers just before the announcement. That's a substantial chunk of free agent money for a team that never dabbles in free agency. Ponied up 3.5M in the Choo trade to get Bauer. Raburn extension. Aviles extension. Potentially a Masterson extension this winter. Kipnis and Brantley talks. Maybe they re-sign Kazmir. Take a legitimate shot at Ubaldo, though eventually pass because they'll get priced out.

It seems different. It seems more than coincidence. I could be wrong, but that's my take on it.

As to your post, worst thing the Indians could do is sit back and do nothing like they did entering 2008. The holes are clear. They need to be filled.

Glad to see this was the response. I thought about editing because it would be taken as a shot on a day there is no reason to fire shots.

I think last night goes part of the distance to having the fans back in the mix. Forget the result, that place was rocking and people had to enjoy the experience. Now is when you capitalize. And there is the chance the fan base doesn't respond to any improvements they make. Which is a risk. But I am pretty sure we all know the result to not improving.

pup wrote:Glad to see this was the response. I thought about editing because it would be taken as a shot on a day there is no reason to fire shots.

I think last night goes part of the distance to having the fans back in the mix. Forget the result, that place was rocking and people had to enjoy the experience. Now is when you capitalize. And there is the chance the fan base doesn't respond to any improvements they make. Which is a risk. But I am pretty sure we all know the result to not improving.

No, I definitely understand your point.

It was a great atmosphere. I really think educating people would go a long way into getting the fan base to understand what's going on here. I would love to see the Indians do a monthly town hall meeting/seminar sort of deal where they explain these things. A general overview of sabermetrics. The relationship between wins and money. Small market economics. Maybe some insight as to what goes on in the scouting department. I'd like to think that some people would be more sympathetic if they truly understood how it has to be done. Probably not the case, since it's a results business, but they could give it a test run. Can't imagine it would go over worse than Snow Days.

Frankly, this is shit that STO should have done. It's cheap, easy programming that people are going to watch, not whatever late night wrestling shit they used to put on. That would be a great way to keep fans engaged throughout the winter. Better Indians programming. Do some "A Day in the Life Of" type stuff. Human interest. We probably wouldn't care very much, but the older people and women will watch. Cheap to produce and promotes the faces of the team.

I realize all that matters is winning, but generating and keeping a buzz about the team can't hurt.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

Ha!. I'm in hour 12 of sports media blackout so I ain't turning it on, but I can imagine.

Which is the funny part of it all. People here will derisively jeer the band wagon fans and I can't stand listening to idiots on parade anywhere, but they're absolutely critical to the future success (if not existence) of this franchise here.

The town hall meetings, etc are great for the hard core fans. You want the bandwagoners and casual fans? Lower beer prices from $4 to $3, sign some washed up hump they've heard of (even if he's 9 years past his prime) and surround that guy with eight guys who can actually play.

peeker643 wrote:The town hall meetings, etc are great for the hard core fans. You want the bandwagoners and casual fans? Lower beer prices from $4 to $3, sign some washed up hump they've heard of (even if he's 9 years past his prime) and surround that guy with eight guys who can actually play.

You know, this past one was one of the most casual-fan-friendly offseasons they've ever had, and it seemed to work out pretty well.

All I'm saying is that I think that they could do more to promote the brand in the offseason. I don't see anything wrong with what I said. Other broadcasts, namely Tampa and Arizona, have added saber stats to the chyron graphics when guys come to the plate or have discussed them on air.

Any way that they can increase attendance, whether it's what I said or what Peeker said, I'm fine with. Anything that gets people to the ballpark and drives revenue. Casual, die-hard, or bandwagon. Doesn't matter. I hate bandwagon fans for their sudden interest when it's convenient, but I don't hate when they're at the ballpark because it means something good is happening.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

peeker643 wrote:The town hall meetings, etc are great for the hard core fans. You want the bandwagoners and casual fans? Lower beer prices from $4 to $3, sign some washed up hump they've heard of (even if he's 9 years past his prime) and surround that guy with eight guys who can actually play.

You know, this past one was one of the most casual-fan-friendly offseasons they've ever had, and it seemed to work out pretty well.

In what context? Asking sincerely.

Because they were 28th in attendance at 19.6K per game but the television ratings were much better. So is it simply that people prefer that delivery method until there's an 'event' at the Jake that gets them there and that they can feel 'part' of.

I'll use my soon to be 19 yr old daughter as an example. She's a huge Indians fan. Huge. She's invested enough to know more about the game and the team than most casual fans. She'd up up the town hall stuff and more programming but they've already got her.

If they want more people there on a regular basis (and they're gonna get her and Adam and many others like that) I'm not sure what they do.

I was simply speaking to the fact that a casual-fan-friendly offseason can also be a sensible one. "Sign some washed up hump they've heard of (even if he's 9 years past his prime)..." seems to me like a typically derisive characterization, and one that's been repeated no matter how many times the alternative (signing a few guys we've never heard of and expecting us to be excited about it) has failed in recent years.

It is going to be interesting, that is for sure. They have a tough job since filling the holes on offensive isn't realistic without some big trades. So the impression that the pitching staff is going to take a step backwards will be enough for the casual fan to doubt them going forward.

If we lose a guy who pitched like an ace over the last month of the season and don't replace him with someone who appears to at least have equal value, that's only going to inspire "Here we go agains." FA can't feel like constant attrition.

But if the fans feel we're willing & capable to retain talent, then see an exciting young player or two coming up from our farm system, they'll come and they'll stay too.

I'm a firm believer and have said that you have to keep one of those two. Not just for the fans point of view (in fact that never entered the equation for me), but because from a pitching standpoint you've got to have one. I'm excited about Salazar, Kluber/McAllister and when you put Masterson there and Kazmir, that is the basis for a solid staff.

I'm also on record as saying I'd prefer it be Kazmir over U because not only do I think he'll be more affordable, but I can't fully buy into Ubaldo as 'Ace Resurrected'. Kazmir's success, IMO, is more sustainable, his velocity and command were very good and he's a LHP who's barely 30 when the season starts.

I also keep Cabrera as much as it makes me sick. His value has never been lower. You made it to playoffs with him that way. Worst case he blows again next year and walks. Or maybe he rebounds, adds value and does so the first half of the season while the prodigy fills out and polishes his game. I think Lindor is here next year at trade deadline. It may be too soon. But in a market like this you take chances and may have to push a guy like that if need be.

But I don't see big splash in free agency. Not with Swisher and Bourn deals escalating next year and not with having to sign Kazmir or U. Not likely to happen. better chance of Swisher, Bourn and Cabbie increasing their productivity, Chisenhall developing some more and Kipnis ticking up slightly than getting help in the marquee free agent pool. By a longshot.

It is going to be interesting, that is for sure. They have a tough job since filling the holes on offensive isn't realistic without some big trades. So the impression that the pitching staff is going to take a step backwards will be enough for the casual fan to doubt them going forward.

If U and Kaz both leave, the rotation projects something like this:MastySalazarKluberMcAllisterCarrasco/Bauer/Random reclimation project

That should still be both recognizable and solid, no? And if they can resign one of them, they have a 5-man rotation with some depth. I haven't given up on Bauer yet, despite the complete and total disaster his 2013 season turned in to.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves-----Abe Lincoln

Let me tell you, if any of you douchebag empty headed stuffed suit nanny politicians tries to fuck with my bacon, I’m going after you like a crazed chimpanzee on bath salts. -----Lars

I offer Kazmir 2/16 and third year club/vesting if he throws 320 innings over the two years. I offer Jimenez the one-year 14M qualifying offer and let him walk if he gets an offer over three years, which he will.

I'd entertain the idea of trading for Aramis Ramirez. You have Mike Aviles who can play 3B if need be, you can DH Ramirez if you play Santana in the field, and you only have Ramirez for one year. 16M is a hefty price tag, but maybe you can get the Brewers to cover some. Ramirez would do better in the AL where he can DH periodically to get off his feet. Still hits lefties very well. The key is how much Milwaukee covers. Doubt the Indians take a banged up 36-year-old for a massive financial commitment for a season. But, he hit .283 with 12 HR in just 304 at bats. Get him healthy in the offseason and he's an asset. .280 with 25 HR at 3B sounds good to me. We got about .235 and 20 HR this year, so that's a nice upgrade.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

skatingtripods wrote:I offer Kazmir 2/16 and third year club/vesting if he throws 320 innings over the two years. I offer Jimenez the one-year 14M qualifying offer and let him walk if he gets an offer over three years, which he will.

I'd entertain the idea of trading for Aramis Ramirez. You have Mike Aviles who can play 3B if need be, you can DH Ramirez if you play Santana in the field, and you only have Ramirez for one year. 16M is a hefty price tag, but maybe you can get the Brewers to cover some. Ramirez would do better in the AL where he can DH periodically to get off his feet. Still hits lefties very well. The key is how much Milwaukee covers. Doubt the Indians take a banged up 36-year-old for a massive financial commitment for a season. But, he hit .283 with 12 HR in just 304 at bats. Get him healthy in the offseason and he's an asset. .280 with 25 HR at 3B sounds good to me. We got about .235 and 20 HR this year, so that's a nice upgrade.

What's that do to Pleskoff's boy, Chisenhall? Just a platoon guy while he smooths out issues?

It is going to be interesting, that is for sure. They have a tough job since filling the holes on offensive isn't realistic without some big trades. So the impression that the pitching staff is going to take a step backwards will be enough for the casual fan to doubt them going forward.

If U and Kaz both leave, the rotation projects something like this:MastySalazarKluberMcAllisterCarrasco/Bauer/Random reclimation project

That should still be both recognizable and solid, no? And if they can resign one of them, they have a 5-man rotation with some depth. I haven't given up on Bauer yet, despite the complete and total disaster his 2013 season turned in to.

Ya know...not sure how to put this. Recognizeable? Yes. Solid? Maybe.

Improved? Frick no. Not even close. And even if replacing Ubaldo with Carrasco/Bauer/Random reclimation project was to work...casual fan isn't buying it until they see it. To me, Kluber/McCallister need to be battling in ST for the 5th spot for casual fan base to remain energized. Otherwise, you get slightly better attendence in 2014 than you got in 2013 with the hope that early returns drive it up slightly higher throughout the season. Especially if you aren't going to improve the lineup...which pretty much isn't happening.

Me? I trade Asdrubal for something better than Z-Mac and start Lindor day 1. One of the things this lineup needs more than anything else is less swinging and missing. Going from Asdrubal to Lindor is a start. Snag a 3B with a high contact rate from somewhere and hold off on another OF until you of those kids is ready.

Keep the bullpen as in tact as you can. Perez being 50/50. If he is not back, you need to get something in return that is viable.